Rapids get key three points against struggling Earthquakes

 

By JOSE M. ROMERO

Jeff Larentowicz's low bouncer through the San Jose wall and past goalkeeper Jon Busch in the 72nd minute proved to be the difference as the Colorado Rapids came from behind to defeat the host San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 Saturday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. 

A straight red to Quakes midfielder Sam Cronin in the 50th minute gave the defending MLS Cup champs a man advantage, and even though San Jose had chances, the Rapids took the lead and finished the job to go undefeated for the fifth straight game. The Earthquakes, in desperate need of wins to work into contention for the playoffs, are winless in 11 consecutive matches.

Caleb Folan converted a PK in the 39th minute for the Rapids, the result of the first big controversial officiating decision of the night. San Jose had taken a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when Joey Gjertsen headed in a deflected ball from Chris Wondolowski off a pass from Bobby Convey.

Folan was able to square up at the spot after the assistant referee called Cronin for intentional use of his arm (a handball) to stop a cross from Pablo Mastroeni. Cronin, replays showed, was sliding to stop the ball and it hit his back arm, seemingly not intentionally. Nevertheless, the call was made and Folan converted.

Mastroeni was involved in the red card incident with Cronin. Cronin slid for a tackle that didn't, according to replays, seem like it was done with reckless intent. But that was the ruling from the head official and Mastroeni sold the foul. Cronin walked off the field without any further comment.

San Jose had a chance to go up 2-1 in the 55th minute, but Gjertsen's cross to Wondolowski was shot over the goal.

Gjertsen, incidentally, scored his second career MLS goal.

Larentowicz's free kick went through the legs of Simon Dawkins, who was part of the defensive wall.

Colorado (10-6-10) has four wins in its last five matches and is up to 40 points, good for fourth in the West. San Jose (5-9-10) has only 25 points through 24 matches and is in eighth place, their playoff hopes dwindling.